The first disciple lunged at Yan Rui, wielding a curved blade that gleamed in the faint sunlight filtering through the Ember Wilds' canopy. Yan Rui's wooden sword clashed against the metal weapon with a sharp crack, and the force of the strike sent vibrations up his arm.
"You're making this harder than it needs to be!" the attacker snarled, pushing forward with brute strength.
Yan Rui gritted his teeth and sidestepped, letting the force of the attack carry the disciple off balance. With a quick counterstrike, he slammed his sword against the side of the disciple's knee, causing him to stumble with a pained grunt.
Before Yan Rui could follow up, another disciple darted in from his left, thrusting a spear. Yan Rui barely managed to twist his body, the spear's tip grazing his ribs. He hissed in pain but ignored the sting, stepping forward to close the distance. A quick upward slash forced the spear-wielding disciple to retreat.
The third opponent, a wiry young woman, hung back, her hands weaving intricate patterns. Yan Rui's eyes widened as a fireball formed between her palms, its heat distorting the air around it.
"Watch out!" she called to her companions before launching the attack.
Yan Rui threw himself to the ground as the fireball soared overhead, slamming into a nearby tree and setting it ablaze. The explosion sent a shockwave through the clearing, scattering leaves and embers.
"She's a fire arts cultivator," Yan Rui muttered under his breath, scrambling to his feet. "This just got more complicated."
The three disciples regrouped, their stances steady as they surrounded him. Yan Rui's breathing was labored, and his body ached from the day's battles, but he refused to back down.
He activated the Flame Foundation Breathing Technique, drawing in fiery Qi from the surrounding environment. The Ember Vein Constitution within him resonated, amplifying his control over the energy. His wooden sword began to glow faintly, heat radiating from its surface.
The spear-wielding disciple attacked again, thrusting his weapon with rapid precision. Yan Rui parried each strike, sparks flying as the weapons collided. The distraction allowed the first disciple to recover and join the fray, slashing at Yan Rui from the other side.
It became a relentless dance of blades and strikes, Yan Rui barely managing to fend off the two attackers. But he couldn't afford to focus solely on them-out of the corner of his eye, he saw the fire arts cultivator preparing another spell.
"I need to end this quickly," he thought.
Summoning every ounce of his strength, Yan Rui feinted to his right, drawing the saber-wielding disciple into overextending his attack. With a sudden pivot, Yan Rui brought his glowing sword down on the man's wrist, forcing him to drop his weapon.
A quick kick to the chest sent the disciple sprawling to the ground.
The spear-wielding disciple hesitated, glancing nervously between Yan Rui and his fallen comrade. Seizing the moment, Yan Rui charged, closing the distance before the spear could be readied again. He struck with a downward slash, knocking the spear from the man's hands, then followed with a sweeping kick that sent him crashing to the ground.
Now, only the fire arts cultivator remained.
The woman glared at Yan Rui, her hands glowing with fiery energy. "You may have beaten them, but you won't defeat me!"
She unleashed a barrage of smaller fireballs, forcing Yan Rui to dodge and weave as the projectiles exploded around him. The ground burned where the flames struck, filling the air with smoke and ash. Yan Rui coughed, his vision blurring from the heat and smoke. But he couldn't stop now-not when he was so close.
Drawing on the last reserves of his Qi, he activated the Ember Vein Constitution fully, his body radiating a faint crimson aura. With a burst of speed, he closed the gap between himself and the fire arts cultivator, dodging the final fireball by a hair's breadth.
Before she could react, Yan Rui struck, his sword glowing with fiery energy. The blow knocked her to the ground, her flames extinguishing as she lost consciousness. The clearing fell silent, save for the crackling of the nearby flames. Yan Rui stood amidst the chaos, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. He glanced at his three defeated opponents. They were battered but alive-Zhao Yi's warning about avoiding lethal force echoed in his mind.
Kneeling beside the fire arts cultivator, Yan Rui retrieved the Ember Hearts she had collected. Combined with his own, he now had five-more than enough to complete the trial.
He looked around, realizing the fight had attracted unwanted attention. In the distance, he could hear the growls and rustling of spirit beasts drawn to the commotion.
"I can't stay here," he muttered, securing the Ember Hearts in his pouch.
As the sun began to set, Yan Rui made his way toward the edge of the forest, his movements cautious and deliberate. The Ember Wilds seemed determined to test him until the very end, but he pushed through, his mind focused on one goal: returning to the sect.
When he finally emerged from the forest, the sight of the Flameborne Sect's gates filled him with relief. Other disciples were already gathered, their faces a mix of exhaustion and pride as they presented their Ember Hearts to the elders overseeing the trial.
Yan Rui approached the elders and handed over his pouch. They examined the Ember Hearts carefully before nodding in approval.
"You've done well," one of them said, their voice tinged with respect. "Five Ember Hearts is an impressive feat for an outer disciple." Yan Rui bowed, his exhaustion hidden behind a calm facade.
As he stepped away, Fei Yue appeared by his side, her arms crossed and a faint smirk on her lips. "You survived," she said, her tone teasing but warm.
"Was there ever any doubt?" Yan Rui replied, a tired smile breaking through his stoic expression.
Fei Yue chuckled. "You've made quite an impression today. But don't get too comfortable. The real challenges are only just beginning."
Yan Rui nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. He knew she was right. The Inferno Trials were just one step on his journey, and the path ahead would only grow more difficult.
But as the fiery glow of the setting sun bathed the sect in light, Yan Rui felt a renewed sense of purpose. He was no longer the weak villager who had first entered the Flameborne Sect. He was a disciple with the potential to rise—and he would stop at nothing to reach the top.